A Mother’s Fight Against a Brain Tumor: The Revolutionary Surgery Through Eye Socket That Gave Her a Second Chance

Mother undergoes groundbreaking eye socket surgery in UK-first, defeating brain tumors and reclaiming her life.
By Buddhima Sandaruwni
January 20, 2025
2:58 GMT-0830

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, surgeons at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have successfully removed a brain tumor through a patient’s eye socket in a UK-first procedure. The innovative surgery provided a new lease on life for Ruvimbo Kaviya, a 40-year-old mother of three and stroke rehabilitation nurse, who had been battling debilitating headaches caused by a meningioma.

A Journey from Pain to Hope

Ruvimbo’s ordeal began in 2023 when she experienced persistent and severe headaches. A subsequent medical diagnosis revealed she had meningiomas located on the right side of the back of her brain and the left side near her eye. Despite their non-cancerous nature, the tumors’ locations posed significant risks and made traditional surgical methods unsuitable. Conventional surgeries often require the removal of sections of the skull and involve moving brain tissue, leading to potential complications such as seizures and long recovery times.

Image Source : Dailymail

Faced with chronic pain and limited options, Ruvimbo found hope in an innovative surgical approach offered by the team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. “I was terrified about what the future held,” Ruvimbo shared before the surgery. “But I knew I had to stay strong for my children. I couldn’t let the pain control my life any longer.”

The Revolutionary Procedure

The surgery, known as the endoscopic trans-orbital method, involved accessing the tumor through a small incision in the outer wall of the eye socket. This minimally invasive approach allowed direct access to the tumor without putting undue pressure on the brain. The operation lasted only three hours and marked a milestone in surgical innovation.

Consultant neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh, patient Ruvimbo Kaviya, biomedical engineer Lisa Ferrie and facial surgeon Jiten Parmar
Image Credits : Danny Lawson/PA

Key contributors to this medical feat were neurosurgeon Asim Sheikh and maxillofacial surgeon Jiten Parmar. The team extensively practiced the procedure using 3D models and cadaver labs to refine their technique before performing it on Ruvimbo. Parmar described the procedure as “unique to Leeds,” emphasizing its potential to transform treatment for hard-to-reach brain tumors.

After doing a groundbreaking surgery, she received a small scar at the corner of her eye.
Image Source : Dailymail

Recovery and Family Life

Ruvimbo took three months off work to recover after the surgery. During this time, she focused on her health and spent time with her three children, who had been a source of strength throughout her ordeal. “When I woke up from the surgery and realized the pain was gone, I couldn’t stop crying. I felt like I could finally be the mother my kids deserved,” she shared after her recovery.

Her return to her role as a stroke rehabilitation nurse in Leeds marked the culmination of a remarkable journey. The three-month recovery period, shorter than what traditional surgeries often require, highlights the benefits of this innovative approach.

A New Chapter in Brain Tumor Treatment

The success of Ruvimbo’s surgery marks a significant step forward in treating complex brain tumors. The Leeds team’s innovative approach not only offers a safer alternative to traditional methods but also opens doors for further advancements in minimally invasive neurosurgery. For patients like Ruvimbo, it represents a second chance at life and a testament to the power of medical innovation.

Every day I wake up and feel grateful for this new chance at life. I hope my story inspires others to never give up,” she said, reflecting on her journey.

Ruvimbo

This landmark case has set the stage for similar breakthroughs, inspiring both the medical community and patients facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.